Three K-Staters received Fulbright awards

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

MANHATTAN -- Two new Kansas State University graduates and one undergraduate student will travel abroad within the next year as part of Fulbright programs.

Rob Breeden, junior in biology and premedicine, Overland Park, received a Fulbright Summer Institute scholarship through the U.S.-United Kingdom Fulbright Commission to study at King's College in London. Stephanie Keith, May 2013 bachelor's graduate in anthropology and international studies, Wichita, and Tucker Wilson, May 2013 bachelor's graduate in English and Spanish, Vernon Hills, Ill., received Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship grants through the U.S. Student Fulbright Grant Program.

The Fulbright programs create international educational exchange opportunities to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Breeden leaves in July for London to explore the culture, heritage and history of the United Kingdom. A Kansas State University Presidential Scholar, Breeden is a member the university's Honors Program, the men's club soccer team and a volunteer for K-State Proud, a student-led fundraising campaign that help students with financial needs. Breeden participates in undergraduate genetics research with Michael Herman, professor of biology. A 2011 graduate of Olathe East High School, he is the son of John and Theresa Breeden, Overland Park.

"I am thrilled at the opportunity to study in London this summer," Breeden said. "As a Fulbright summer program participant, I am being offered a tremendous chance to learn both in and out of the classroom. I hope it will enable me to build some strong connections and prepare me to address issues of health with a worldwide perspective."

Keith will leave in September for Germany to teach English. In addition, she will volunteer for a community service project to help Germany's Turkish communities integrate into German society. As a Mark Chapman scholar, she studied in Germany in 2011, which initiated her interest in the cultural and political issues between the Turkish and German communities.

"I'm looking forward to helping the Turkish communities as part of the service project," Keith said. "Also, I'm very excited to do a lot of traveling. I hope on the weekends I can just jump on a train and visit the Ukraine, Poland, and eastern European and southwest Asian countries."

Keith was a member of the Kansas State Anthropology Club. A graduate of Maize High School, Maize, she is the daughter of Billie Voth and David Keith, both from Wichita.

Wilson will leave in March 2014 for Argentina to teach English. He also will volunteer for a community literacy organization. He previously studied abroad in Cordoba, Spain, with the assistance of the Phi Kappa Phi study abroad grant program.

"I can't wait to explore the Argentinian culture, gain life experience, learn from my students by teaching English, and to meet new people by volunteering for a community literacy organization," Wilson said. "I also hope to become fluent in Spanish and to develop long-lasting friendships."

Wilson was the president of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honorary; an English ambassador; and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the university's Honors Program. His honors include the Mark A. Chapman Scholarship, Lukens Scholarship, the Undergraduate Student Leadership and Service Award, and an honors scholarship. A graduate of Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Ill., he is the son of Diane and Martin Wilson, Vernon Hills, Ill.

To learn more about competing for future Fulbright opportunities or other scholarships while a student at Kansas State University, contact Jim Hohenbary at jimlth@k-state.edu.